April 26, 2020
Voices: Steven Sacks of bitforms, New York
An interview with Steven Sacks, the owner of bitforms, located in New York City’s Lower East Side.

Sara Ludy Nest 1 (2018) Waken Glass: copper mesh and glass 4 x 8 x 7 in. Courtesy of bitforms.
In early 2000 there were numerous new media art exhibits, including the Whitney’s “Bitstreams” which had an indelible impact on me. After seeing this new media influx in museums I felt there was an opportunity to open a gallery with a devotion to that experimental genre. Almost 20 years later, bitforms gallery represents established, mid-career, and emerging artists critically engaged with new technologies. Spanning the rich history of media art through its current developments, the gallery’s program offers an incisive perspective on the fields of digital, internet, time-based, and new media art forms.
Art offers an unrestrained freedom of expression. It’s nice to be around that 24/7.

I've grown a lot. It’s a challenging business. Especially as a small gallery with a focus on more experimental art forms. I have learned how to better navigate the fine art world, while keeping an eye on broader contemporary cultural influences, helping me grow and further develop our unique program.

Be prepared not to sell. Mentally and fiscally.
Everything. It’s a constant flow of shows, fairs, artist relations, social media and outreach. We are currently in San Francisco with a pop-up at Minnesota Street Project and will be back again when our artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer has a SF MoMA solo show in April 2020. Planning for our 20th year anniversary in 2021 is also on the current agenda.
I love our location on the Lower East Side. The history and multicultural connections add an authenticity to our neighborhood that feeds and inspires the gallery.
bitforms on Future Fair Online

